It's time to rethink how we elect our leaders

Do most voting-age citizens truly understand how our electoral system operates? This is a question that deserves consideration, as it strikes at the very heart of democratic participation.

Many individuals cast their votes based on name recognition, often heavily influenced by superficial factors such as a cheesy plastic sign placed in a neighbor's yard or a catchy campaign slogan.

This raises a significant concern: I suspect few in this group understand the intricacies of the electoral process or the implications of their choices. I certainly don't.

To illustrate this point, we woke up one November day to find Donald Trump as our President, a reality that left many citizens puzzled. Some were actually hospitalized over it. How did this happen? The least qualified, most polarizing, least educated, and morally questionable individual became our president in 2016, and the same scenario repeated in 2024, leading to a national conversation about the effectiveness and fairness of our electoral system.

The answer to this perplexing situation is straightforward: money. Just follow the money. Billions are spent on elections, and many of us are left wondering what happened to our vote in the grand scheme of things.

The influence of campaign financing cannot be overstated; it shapes the narratives we hear, the candidates we see, and ultimately, the choices we are presented with on the ballot. The overwhelming presence of financial backing often skews the political landscape, allowing well-funded candidates to dominate the conversation while those with fewer resources struggle to make their voices heard.

This disparity raises critical questions about the integrity of our democratic process and whether every vote truly counts.

Moreover, many citizens are unaware of the complexities surrounding the Electoral College, a system that can lead to outcomes that defy popular sentiment. What is the Electoral College? Do they have reunions or a football team? In reality, the Electoral College is a group of representatives who formally elect the President and Vice President of the United States, and it operates based on a system that allocates electoral votes to states. This means that a candidate can win the popular vote nationwide yet still lose the election due to the distribution of these electoral votes. Such a scenario raises important questions about the fairness and efficacy of this system, and it leaves many voters feeling disenfranchised, as their votes may not carry the weight they expected. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for voters who wish to engage meaningfully in the democratic process and advocate for reforms that could lead to a more equitable electoral system.

It is no secret that politicians are influenced by big businesses and their agendas. The sad truth is that they often prioritize their own interests over those of the people they represent. The media also plays a role in this corruption by pushing certain narratives and agendas that align with the interests of big businesses. As a result, the true issues facing our country are often overshadowed by irrelevant distractions.

Unfortunately, the recent political climate has only inflamed this issue. With the rise of Donald Trump and his MAGAs, who prioritize sensationalism and lies over real issues, it has become even more difficult to have productive conversations about the problems our country faces. We must recognize big business's influence on our political system and hold our leaders accountable for their actions. Only then can we hope to build a government that truly serves the people.

Therefore, it's time to rethink how we elect our leaders, especially those who wield the most power.  We need a new system that is not influenced by corporate interests and lobbyists.

Everybody has an idea or solution how we should elect our political officials.

And here's mine.

It's simple: eliminate the money, NOT JUST big corporate money, but ALL money and elect leaders who truly represent the people, not corporations.

I propose a comprehensive set of reforms to ensure the most qualified candidates represent the people. We propose a series of changes to the current political system that include:

1. Eliminate lobbyists, political parties, and all forms of candidate funding. We also suggest eliminating the Electoral College and making the popular vote the sole measure of success.

   
   

2. We propose banning campaigning in any form, with major penalties for those who break this rule. Additionally, we suggest an age limit of 65 years old and a term limit of two 4-year terms for all candidates.

   
   

3. All candidates seeking congressional positions, including the president, submit a job resume, like real people, to an unbiased committee of non-partisan citizens.

   
   

4. Must have at least a Master's degree in political science or public administration.

   
   

5. All candidates must take and pass an extended physical and mental exam.

   
   

6. We propose creating a special, tax-funded, non-commercial TV studio setup used only for political debates, free and accessible to everyone.

   
   

7. Interviews with any media source are strictly prohibited. Any candidate found to violate this rule will be disqualified from the election. Moreover, the media outlet responsible for conducting such an interview will be fined accordingly. 

   
   

8. All submitted topics for debate, questions, and responses must be supported by factual resources. It is imperative that all information presented during these debates is fact-checked extensively to ensure accuracy and avoid misinformation. This measure is being taken to promote transparency and uphold the integrity of the democratic process. All candidates will be required to take this requirement seriously and come prepared with well-researched and factually supported arguments.

   
   

9. Additionally, we suggest that no more than 10 approved candidates participate in extensive debates and answer questions submitted by the people. The people will vote electronically for the candidates they feel are the most qualified, until there are only two standing.

   
   

NOW it's time to vote. 

We feel these changes will lead to a more transparent and qualified political system, where the people's voices are heard and respected.

This is a very simple solution one that could be edited and debated extensively, but I believe that these simple reforms will result in a fair and transparent election process, where candidates are chosen based on their qualifications and abilities, rather than their financial resources or political connections. 

That's My Take. What's Yours?

Dennis Ketterman